Sun Valley Food Environment Assessment: Evaluation of Key Informant Interview Tool

Current widely available tools for assessing food access in the United States look at structural aspects that are objective and can be quantified, such as distance to supermarkets. However, understanding the complex nature of different communities is necessary for bringing about meaningful and sustained action. The purpose of this project is to create a key informant interview tool (KIIT) for assessing food access in Sun Valley, CA. The rationale is to gain in-depth information from informed community members with diverse perspectives. The KIIT was adapted from the Washington State Department of Health Key Informant Interview Guide. Adjustments were made to represent resources in Sun Valley. A panel of three experts was chosen to evaluate the KIIT based on their expertise in community nutrition interventions; they provided feedback for modifications. Based on their feedback, changes were made to language that seemed to place the blame on individuals rather than society and/or had potential to effect responses. The KIIT can be used by public health or community nutrition practitioners looking to improve access to healthy food in Sun Valley. It can also be used in other communities after appropriate adaptations are made. The data derived from the KIIT can be used in mixed-methods formative research which is designed to inform healthy eating interventions.by Katherina Name

Influence of family history on the lifetime risk for coronary artery disease

The purpose of this study is to quantify the difference in lifetime risk of developing coronary artery disease between individuals in the general population and those with a family history of coronary artery disease in a first-degree relative. Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of death for both males and females in the United States. A small percentage of coronary artery disease is caused by single gene disorders. Coronary artery disease more commonly has a multifactorial mode of inheritance requiring both genetic and environmental influences. There are many established conventional and nontraditional (genetic) risk factors for coronary artery disease, many of which currently have testing and treatment available. Exclusive of single gene disorders, many of the conventional risk factors are known to have a genetic component. Family history of coronary artery disease is an independent risk factor, but this has never been quantified in absolute terms. Empiric lifetime risk estimates of developing coronary artery disease calculated from 2,943 male and 2,128 female first-degree relatives of individuals who had previously undergone coronary artery bypass graft surgery. This study compares the risk of developing coronary artery disease in first-degree relatives to individuals in the general population. The results of this study indicate that a family history of coronary artery disease greatly increases a person's risk for developing coronary artery disease as compared to the general population. It also appears as though the lifetime risk estimates for individuals with a family history show the greatest increase in risk at younger ages. This finding is consistent with the presence of a genetic predisposition. The quantified increase in risk based on a particular family history profile may serve as a method of identifying high-risk, asymptomatic individuals. Based on these findings it is evident that a family history of coronary artery disease is an important factor in assessing an individual's risk of developing coronary artery disease, perhaps more than is generally accepted by most medical professionals.California State University, Northridge. Department of Biology.Includes bibliographical references (leaves 48-58

Academic Center Partnership with Health Department and Church to Rapidly Deploy COVID-19 Vaccine POD Reaching Underserved Populations

The COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted people of color, underscoring the importance of equity in the public health response. The Duquesne University Center for Integrative Health (DUCIH) is a university-wide center focused on training future practitioners and improving health equity in the Pittsburgh region. DUCIH’s initial pandemic response included a virtual adaptation of community health programs and supporting partners’ testing and vaccination efforts. In March 2021, the Allegheny County Health Department (ACHD) asked DUCIH to establish a vaccine Point of Dispensing (POD) at Central Baptist Church in Pittsburgh’s Hill District, to reach underrepresented populations. DUCIH engaged the Schools of Health Sciences, Nursing, and Pharmacy and multiple university offices to recruit an interprofessional team of 263 volunteers. From March to June 2021, the POD administered 5,652 vaccines in an underserved neighborhood, with a majority of doses administered to people of color, meeting the POD’s aim. This university-church partnership has continued with vaccine clinics and health screenings. This case study shares lessons for rapid response to public health emergencies through university-wide collaboration with community partners. Universities with health science schools should cultivate relationships with local health departments to promote awareness of these capabilities

Recommendations for ethical approaches to genotype-driven research recruitment

Recruiting research participants based on genetic information generated about them in a prior study is a potentially powerful way to study the functional significance of human genetic variation. However, it also presents significant ethical challenges that, to date, have received only minimal consideration. We convened a multi-disciplinary workshop to discuss key issues relevant to the conduct and oversight of genotype-driven recruitment and to translate those considerations into practical policy recommendations. Workshop participants were invited from around the U.S., and included genomic researchers and study coordinators, research participants, clinicians, bioethics scholars, experts in human research protections, and government representatives. Discussion was directed by experienced facilitators and informed by empirical data collected in a national survey of IRB chairs and in-depth interviews with research participants in studies where genotype-driven recontact occurred. A high degree of consensus was attained on the resulting 7 recommendations, which cover informed consent disclosures and choices, the process for how and by whom participants are recontacted, the disclosure of individual genetic research results, and the importance of tailoring approaches based on specific contextual factors. These recommendations are intended to represent a balanced approach—protecting research participants, yet avoiding overly restrictive policies that hinder advancement on important scientific questions

Why Him Not ME? Inclusive/Exclusive Talent Identification in Academic Public Context

AbstractWe investigated the relevance of introducing talent identification/classifications among Egyptian public business schools, as perceived by academics, and the expected outcomes of such proposed classification system. We employed thematic analysis of data collected from interviews with 49 academics from three large business schools. Our findings revealed the following themes: no clear systems for talent management; being talent means going the extra mile in research; talent identification/classification system is irrelevant due to: academic corruption; age and religious discrimination; the unique nature of higher education work; and the fears of enforcing clashes, inequality and exclusion. We confirmed that any attempt to constitute talent classifications in the Egyptian higher education does not appear to be a prioritized need for the sector. Nevertheless, we did assert the need to manage motivational, structural, consequential and social responsibility boundaries before the need for constituting any system for talent identification and classifications.Abstract We investigated the relevance of introducing talent identification/classifications among Egyptian public business schools, as perceived by academics, and the expected outcomes of such proposed classification system. We employed thematic analysis of data collected from interviews with 49 academics from three large business schools. Our findings revealed the following themes: no clear systems for talent management; being talent means going the extra mile in research; talent identification/classification system is irrelevant due to: academic corruption; age and religious discrimination; the unique nature of higher education work; and the fears of enforcing clashes, inequality and exclusion. We confirmed that any attempt to constitute talent classifications in the Egyptian higher education does not appear to be a prioritized need for the sector. Nevertheless, we did assert the need to manage motivational, structural, consequential and social responsibility boundaries before the need for constituting any system for talent identification and classifications